The Rise of Chinese AI in the Gulf: A Renewal of China’s ‘Serbia Model’

Already a global leader in 5G infrastructure, China is investing heavily in a broader range of advanced technologies and seeking to introduce them globally as a means of achieving even...

Emir’s Death Leaves Kuwait Vulnerable to Gulf Rivals

From family competition and parliamentary rumblings to potential friction with various neighbors, the oil-rich U.S. ally may face a challenging transition.

Shifting Sands in the House of Saud with a King’s Declining Health

King Salman may not be on his deathbed, but his son is renowned for not wanting to waste an opportunity.

Toward a Red Sea forum: The Gulf, the Horn of Africa, and architecture for a new regional order

The Red Sea has fast become the subject of new geopolitical intrigue, as unprecedented engagement between Gulf states and the Horn of Africa reframes politics, economics, and security astride one of the world’s most heavily trafficked waterways

Operating in the ‘Gray Zone’ to Counter Iran

The best way to counter Irans asymmetric strategy in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere is a U.S. gray zone strategy

Kuwait charts new path in changing region

Kuwait is carefully positioning itself among its Gulf neighbors as a regional trading hub looking to enter the Chinese and Asian markets, while maintaining its regional relationships and alliance with the West.

Bahrain’s Perception Problem

New demonstrations, executions, and diplomatic quarrels threaten to undermine the island’s efforts to improve its pro-Western profile amid the Iran crisis.

Iran’s threats are an attempt to negotiate

Iranian officials now appear to be negotiating and rather than using back-channels, they are doing it in plain sight.

US Launches Cyberattacks on Iran

It appears that the United States launched cyberattacks on Iran in response to that nations shooting down of an American drone aircraft.

U.S. Arms Sales to the Gulf Have Failed

Despite spending billions of dollars on hardware, our regional partners do not have the capabilities we need.

Taking on Tehran

Forty years after the revolution that ousted the Shah, Irans unique political-religious system and government appears strong enough to withstand US pressure and to ride out the countrys current economic difficulties.

The missing piece in Trump’s ‘maximum pressure’ Iran campaign

Washington should use its military soft-power to help Iranians and further drive a wedge between Iranians and the IRGC as well as isolate the IRGC ideologues within the system.

Does Iran have a Secret Weapon?

There is considerable turmoil and confusion in the Gulf region. Several oil tankers have been damaged and the prime suspect according to some U.S. pundits is sabotage by Iran...

Saudi Arabia wants to dump nuclear waste on the Qatari border to make its archenemy an island

The two nations have been locked in a crisis since the imposition of a Saudi led diplomatic blockade on Qatar

Gulf crisis broadens definitions of food security

Iran, the Gulf, the JCPOA, and American Strategy

No one in the United States can afford illusions about Iran

Iran: Why has Qatar Approached Us?

fear of Saudi Arabia drove recent Qatari policy and emphasizes the importance of the Qatari-Saudi border dispute

Qatar Crisis: Worst Case Scenarios

The origins of the tensions stretch back decades probably generations in the minds of the main characters

Qatar rejects deadline demands, saying it does not fear military action

Foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani rejects demands from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates

The siege of Qatar isn’t working

The tiny emirate is well placed to hold out for a good while yet

Gulf crisis ties global soccer governance into knots

the essential role of FIFA is to deal with football and not to interfere in geopolitics

The Gulf Crisis: Grappling for a face saving solution

Qatar - GCC Split, What are the Options?

Although the reason behind the crisis haven’t been revealed, some have insisted that it is economic and is a result of Qatar’s massive natural gas reserves

Qatar’s Wait-And-See Strategy

Tainting Qatar as a regional pariah is unlikely to change its calculus